Prince Knud marries cousin

September 8, 1933

Prince Knud of Denmark was married today to his first cousin, Princess Caroline Mathilde of Denmark. The Prince, who is second in line to the throne, is the younger son of King Christian X.

The wedding took place at the royal chapel at Fredensborg Palace.

A "strong guard" was posted outside the chapel to "prevent any demonstrations." This was due to acts of vandalism committed last night when "bunting and garlands, with which the streets of the village were decorated, were torn down," reports the Chicago Tribune. According to the news reports, "Communists were blamed" for the vandalism.

Princess Caroline Mathilde "wore a simple wedding gown, made by her own hands," and "practically covered with lace." She wore a veil that had belonged to her great-grandmother, Queen Louise. Her train was edged with lace more than 100 years old and given to her by Queen Alexandrine.

The wedding was attended by 60 guests, including the crown princes and princesses of Norway, Sweden, and Belgium, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Prince Hubertus of Prussia, the third son of the former Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Germany.

The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg is the only brother of Queen Alexandrine. Prince Hubertus' mother is Queen Alexandrine's sister, Cecilie.
Princess Caroline was attended by her sisters, Princesses Feodora and Alexandrine Louise, her cousin, Duchess Thyra of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and a Countess of Solms-Baruth.

In the evening, King Christian gave a wedding dinner at Fredensborg. Afterward, the newly married couple left by car for a "secret destination."

Prince Knud, 33, is a naval officer. His bride, 21, is the daughter of Prince Harald, the king's brother, and Princess Helena. Before her marriage, Princess Caroline Mathilde was an apprentice to a woman photographer.

"One never knows how things go in this world, so it is well to be able to earn one's own living if necessary," the Princess said to one of her friends.

It was when she was studying commercial photography in Copenhagen that she fell in love with Prince Knud.

Although Danes appear "pleased with the marriage," there was some opposition to the wedding by the bride's mother, Princess Helena, who objected to the couple's close relationship.